Congenital and hereditary nail disease. / Patología ungueal congénita y hereditaria.

Nail disorders in newborns can show independently or as components of systemic illnesses or genodermatoses. The examination of these abnormalities is complex and sometimes challenging. However, familiarity with these disorders can significantly contribute to uncovering potential underlying conditions. This review includes the physiological nail changes seen within the first few months of life, such as Beau's lines, onychoschizia, koilonychia, congenital nail fold hypertrophy of the first digit, and onychocryptosis. This review also focuses on the most relevant congenital disorders reported and how to perform differential diagnosis. Finally, this review highlights those hereditary diseases in which nail involvement is crucial for diagnosis, such as nail-patella syndrome, congenital pachyonychia, or congenital dyskeratosis, among others.

In vitro anthelmintic activity assessment of six medicinal plant aqueous extracts against donkey strongyles.

The lack of anthelmintic products licensed for donkeys and the rising number of small donkey milk farms in the countries of Western Europe and Italy have led to an increased interest in the study of reliable and safe plant-derived treatment alternatives. In this study, the aqueous extracts of Achillea millefolium L. (flowers), Artemisia absinthium L. (aerial parts), Centaurium erythraea Rafn. (flowers), Gentiana asclepiadea L. (rhizomes and roots), Inula helenium L. (rhizomes and roots) and Tanacetum vulgare L. (aerial parts), have been tested in vitro for their potential ovicidal and larvicidal activity against donkey nematodes. An egg-hatching assay (EHA) and larval development assay (LDA) were performed for the in vitro study, and median lethal concentration (LC-50) values for both EHA and LDA were calculated using probit analysis. All tested plant extracts showed strong anthelmintic activity against strongyle eggs and larvae at concentrations ranging between 125 and 1.95 mg/ml, except for C. erythraea, which exhibited very little or no effect at all at the tested concentrations. A strong ovicidal effect was observed in A. absinthium, with an LC-50 value of 0.486 mg/ml (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21-1.09). Gentiana asclepiadea showed high efficacy against strongyle larvae, with an LC-50 value of 0.041 mg/ml (95% CI 0.01-0.16). The most significant (P < 0.01) anthelmintic activity was exhibited by I. helenium, with an LC-50 value of 0.041 mg/ml (95% CI 0.01-0.16) for EHA and 0.41 mg/ml (95% CI 0.27-0.62) for LDA. The results proved the anthelmintic efficacy of the tested plant extracts, highlighting the need for further research into plant bioactive molecules both in vitro and in vivo.

Epidemiological and Histopathological Aspects of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinomas-Retrospective Study.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed intraoral squamous cell carcinomas (25-40%), being considered an aggressive form of squamous cell carcinoma, as it is most commonly associated with lymph node metastases and the survival rate at five years is below 50%. In according with these data, we have proposed in this study to individualize an epidemiological and histopathological profile of the patients with such oral cancers, diagnosed and treated in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic and in the Otolaryngology Surgery Clinic of the Emergency Clinical County Hospital Craiova, between 2015-2017. The cases were histopathologically reassessed according to the latest WHO classification of head and neck tumors, the variables of interest being the age of the patients, the gender, the lesion topography, the histological subtype, the degree of tumor differentiation, the pTNM stage, the resection margin status and the Brandwein-Gensler prognostic score. Thus, we recorded an average age of 55.81±14.98 tongue cancer development, 65% of the casuistry being diagnosed during the 7th and 6th decades, with a slight prevalence in men, with development in two thirds of cases in the mobile portion of the tongue. Histopathologically, conventional forms of squamous cell carcinoma prevailed (53.7%), followed by varieties: acantholytic (26%), basaloid (13%), sarcomatoid (5.45%) and verrucous (1.85%). Moderate differentiated forms prevailed (44.44%), half of the cases falling within the moderate degree of Brandwein-Gensler's histological risk score and two thirds were diagnosed in pTNM stage II and III of the disease, and a quarter of the cases having the margins invaded.

Changing cell behaviours during beetle embryogenesis correlates with slowing of segmentation.

Segmented animals are found in major clades as phylogenetically distant as vertebrates and arthropods. Typically, segments form sequentially in what has been thought to be a regular process, relying on a segmentation clock to pattern budding segments and posterior mitosis to generate axial elongation. Here we show that segmentation in Tribolium has phases of variable periodicity during which segments are added at different rates. Furthermore, elongation during a period of rapid posterior segment addition is driven by high rates of cell rearrangement, demonstrated by differential fates of marked anterior and posterior blastoderm cells. A computational model of this period successfully reproduces elongation through cell rearrangement in the absence of cell division. Unlike current models of steady-state sequential segmentation and elongation from a proliferative growth zone, our results indicate that cell behaviours are dynamic and variable, corresponding to differences in segmentation rate and giving rise to morphologically distinct regions of the embryo.

The Slanic-Prahova (ROMANIA) underground low-background radiation laboratory.

A low-background radiation laboratory was constructed and fully commissioned in 2006 in the former Unirea (Slanic-Prahova) salt mine at 208 m below surface (estimated to 560 m water equivalent). Preliminary measurements showed a global reduction of the absorbed dose due to natural factors of about 39 times compared to level on the surface, reaching inside the mine 1.17+/-0.14 nGy/h. The total gamma background spectrum between 40 KeV and 3 MeV was 100 times smaller at laboratory level with respect to the same spectrum recorder at surface, in open field. All these experimental facts recommend the Slanic-Prahova low-background radiation laboratory, at present time fully operational, as very suitable for various measurements needing a low background.

Density functional theory study of twelve-atom germanium clusters: conflict between the Wade-Mingos rules and optimum vertex degrees.

Density functional theory (DFT) at the hybrid B3LYP level has been applied to Ge(12)(z) bare germanium clusters (z = -6, -4, -2, 0, +2, +4, +6) starting from 11 initial configurations. The Wade-Mingos rules are seen to have limited value in rationalizing the results since they frequently require vertex degrees higher than the optimum vertex degree of 4 for germanium. Thus the expected I(h) regular icosahedron is no longer the global minimum for Ge(12)(2-) although it remains a low energy structure for Ge(12)(2-) lying only 5.6 kcal mol(-1) above a bicapped arachno structure conforming to the Wade-Mingos rules. The three lowest energy structures for Ge(12)(4-) within 11 kcal mol(-1) are a prolate (elongated) polyhedron with six quadrilateral faces and eight triangular faces, the dual of the bisdisphenoid with four trapezoidal and four pentagonal faces, and a polyhedron with two quadrilateral and 16 triangular faces related but not identical to the polyhedron found in the known tetracarbon carboranes R(4)C(4)B(8)H(8). The lowest energy structures for the neutral Ge(12) are seen to be distorted versions of the icosahedron and the bicapped 10-vertex arachno lowest energy structures for Ge(12)(2-). The low energy structures for the even more hypoelectronic Ge(12)(2+) and Ge(12)(4+) are even more unusual including a hexacapped octahedron, a tetracapped square antiprism, and a double cube for Ge(12)(2+) and a C(2v) structure with a central unique degree 6 vertex for Ge(12)(4+).

[Postpartum myocardial infarction induced by Parlodel]. / Infarctus du myocarde du postpartum induit par le Parlodel.

The authors report the case of a 28 year old woman who developed antero-septoapical myocardial infarction in the post-partum period. This was detected by surface ECG and echocardiography performed after a systemic embolism. The infarction followed treatment with Parlodel for inhibition of lactation. Coronary angiography, performed one month post-partum, was normal and the methergin test was negative. The physiopathological mechanism of myocardial infarction resulted from the association of an iatrogenic spastic phenomenon favourised by the patient restarting to smoke and the physiological arterial hyperactivity of the post-partum period. This mechanism raises the question of preventive measures in cases of inhibition of lactation in the post-partum period, notably stopping smoking.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and HPV infection.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been recognized as the major cause of cervical cancer [1]. The transformation zone of the cervix is the most frequent target of the high risk HPV types. In our study infection with HPV16 and 18 was investigated in the cervical scrapes of 28 subjects with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The DNAs isolated from the samples were amplified by dot-blot hybridization with fragmented digoxygenin labelled probes. Eighteen of 28 patients (64.3%) were found positive for HPV-16, eleven (39.3%) were found positive for HPV-18 and six patients (21%) were infected with both HPV types. This method is practical and sensitive for determining patients with a higher risk of developing HPV-related cancer.

Predictive value of clinical indices in detecting aspiration in patients with neurological disorders.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To evaluate the predictive value of a detailed clinical screening of aspiration in patients with neurological diseases, both with and without symptoms of dysphagia taking videofluoroscopy as the gold standard; (2) to assess the existence of risk factors for silent aspiration, measuring the cost-benefit ratio of radiological examination. METHODS: 93 consecutive patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for a neurological disease with a risk of swallowing dysfunctions (cerebrovascular accidents, brain injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, myotonic dystrophy, and abiotrophic diseases) underwent a detailed clinical assessment using a 25 item form to check for symptoms of dysphagia and impairment of the oropharyngeal swallowing mechanism. The 3 oz water swallow test was also performed to assess the aspiration risk. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values (NPV) of dysphagia, history of cough on swallowing, and 3 oz test positivity, versus videofluoroscopy documented aspiration, taken as the gold standard, were measured in all the patients and in subgroups with different neurological disorders. RESULTS: Non-specific complaints of dysphagia showed a very poor predictive value, whereas the symptom "cough on swallowing" proved to be the most reliable in predicting the risk of aspiration, with 74% sensitivity and specificity, 71% positive predictive, and 77% negative predictive value. The standardised 3-oz test had a higher predictive potential than the clinical signs, but had low sensitivity. The association of cough on swallowing with the 3 oz test gave a positive predictive of 84%, and an negative predictive value of 78%. In cases where the clinical tests failed to detect any impairment, videofluoroscopy documented only a low risk (20%) for mild aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: The association of two clinical items (such as history of cough on swallowing and 3 oz test positivity) provides a useful screening tool, the cost:benefit ratio of which seems very competitive in comparison with videofluoroscopy in aspiration risk evaluation.

Investigation of P300 in various forms of epilepsy.

The problem of the late EP components generator localization has not yet been solved. This study aims to find out if a focal cortical epilepsy of the frontal (FLE) or of the temporal lobe (TLE) can modify the P300 component of the evoked response (either visual or auditory). Our data rely mainly on the selective differentiation test of an 80 dB click alternatively applied on the right or left ear, the patient having to give a motor response to those stimuli which have been chosen as target stimuli (probability of administration, 1:4). Under these circumstances, in normal subjects, evoked potentials showed deep P300 and an attenuated N2b in case of target stimulation and high, delayed N2b and an attenuated P300 for the nontarget stimulation, FLE did not abolish the late components of the EP; on the contrary, these were significantly augmented by the task. TLE, in exchange, severely attenuated differences between N2b-P300 components recorded from the scalp in case of target and nontarget stimulation. P300 was even higher at rest (possibly an effect of defective habituation). Rare or rapid stimuli application which was separately investigated gave another type of EPs modification compared to that specific for the auditory discrimination task. These facts are corroborated with the complete abolition of late EP components after lateral brain stem lesions. The conclusion is that N2a component has a reticular brain stem generator while N2b and P3 have initial generators in the temporal lobe (hippocampus).

Cerebral evoked potentials in the chronic vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

The syndrome of chronic vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) consists in a complex of symptoms, often mild and transient, and lacks a complementary system of objective paraclinical investigations able to certify its existence. The study of somato-sensory, auditory and visual evoked potentials in VBI showed the occurrence of changes regardless of the symptom importance both in disorders due to extrinsic causes: a) compression by a damage of the cervical column (92.9%, 50% and 63.9%, respectively; b) diseases of the cervical spinal cord (92.9% and 46.6%, respectively) and in disorders due to some intrinsic vascular causes such as atherosclerosis (62.5%, 88.8% and 87.5%, respectively). We described: a) local and far field modifications for the somesthetic evoked potentials (SEPs); b) modifications due to brain stem hypoxia (vestibular and auditory centres) or of the internal ear for the early and middle auditory potentials (AEPs); c) modifications due to lower perfusion of the occipital lobes and of the nonspecific centres in the brain stem for the visual evoked potentials (VEPs). The N0-P0-Na component of the middle auditory response was considered to represent a vestibular response and it was significantly affected in cases with VBI and clinical manifestations like: equilibrium disorders, nystagmus and vertigo. Typical images of the sensory evoked responses affected by VBI are reproduced considering their evidence as an elective method in the paraclinical examination of this syndrome.

LED perimeter for visual field analysis by mapping of small field evoked potentials.

A new type of visual field perimeter, equipped with conic light emitting diodes (LEDs) located at 10 degrees intervals automatically programmable is described. The device is meant for visual field analysis by mapping of the evoked responses derived from the retina and specific cortical projection areas.

Mapping of VEPs and ERG responses to punctual stimulations in the visual field.

Visual field projection maps were obtained using retinal and cortical EP amplitude values. Single meridian investigations were also performed. Stimulation was done with punctual photic stimuli delivered by the LED perimeter built for the purpose. Schedule with 28 stimulation loci was adopted. The B wave of the average ERG and P100 component of the cortical VEP were measured. The maps were obtained by interpolation of amplitude values on a grid of 21 x 21 characters. By comparing the retinal and cortical visual field maps, conclusions regarding the normality of visual structures (peripheral or central) can be drawn. Our procedure adds to the previous data on visual field investigation (cynetic or static) important elements concerning vision electrophysiology.

Cerebral dysfunction revealed by EEG mapping in the schizoform epileptic psychosis.

Twenty schizophrenia-like psychotic patients suspected of epilepsy were explored using EEG techniques (recordings in the 10-20 International System, source derivation, EEG mapping and EEG spectral reaction mapping by photic and somesthetic stimulation). In 16 of them, latent epileptic disorders were found. EEG spiking foci could be located either: (a) in temporal, (b) fronto-basal, or (3) in the sagittal-line leads. A corresponding associated dysrhythmia was clearly revealed by EEG mapping. On EEG spectral reaction mapping a suggestive aberrant displacement of the area of maximal sensory response was found. These EEG disorders were in significant relation with the psychotic syndrome observed in the respective group of patients: (a) patients with fronto-basal (temporal anterior) foci were prevalently paranoid; (b) patients with temporal lobe foci were prevalently depressive; (c) patients with sagittal line (singular) foci presented a predominantly expansive, hypomanic behaviour. The study shows the importance of normal fronto-limbic circuits for the preservation of mental health.

EEG mapping in mentally retarded children by synthetic arginine vasotocin administration.

EEG investigations (using source-derivation) were performed in 15 mentally retarded children, before, during (at 1 and 6 months) and after three months of pineal hormone treatment (AVT, 10(-6) mg/day, intranasally). Power spectral analysis, maturation lines and EEG mapping were used to ascertain the functional changes induced by AVT. A rapid increase in maturation EEG coefficients was found. It resulted from a significant reduction in the percent amount of theta and delta activity and from the increase in alpha activity. A significant increase in alpha peak frequency occurred after 6 months of treatment as well as a better separation of the EEG patterns between the anterior and posterior halves of the hemispheres. These favourable effects were clearly evidenced by EEG mapping. They are in good relation with cognitive function (attention, intelligence) improvement induced by AVT therapy.

Contribution of EEG mapping to diagnosis setting in a supratentorial damage.

Forty neurologic patients were investigated in order to disclose the diagnostic advantages by power ratio EEG mapping. Typical examples of EEG maps in brain tumours, cerebral infarction, encephalitis and epilepsy are given. In spite of obvious limitations, the necessity of EEG mapping utilization in the neurological clinic is supported.